RANK #290 / 996 · POP 84,272 · WV
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.6%
Wood County, West Virginia, is defined by its position along the Ohio River, with the city of Parkersburg serving as its county seat at the confluence of the Ohio and Little Kanawha rivers. This location, roughly equidistant from the northern and southern borders of the county, historically made it a hub for trade and transportation. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including boating and water sports on the Ohio River, as well as hiking and biking trails at places like Mountwood Park and Fort Boreman Park. The county maintains a small-town feel, with residents often citing tight-knit communities and a lack of significant traffic.
Life in Wood County is characterized by a lower-than-average cost of living and shorter commute times. The public school system, Wood County Schools, serves over 11,000 students and is considered above average. Recent economic developments include the establishment of a new Amazon facility in Davisville, which began shipping packages in November 2025 and employs approximately 400 individuals. Additionally, the Wood County Development Authority received funding in 2025 to prepare sites at the Athey Property and Polymer Alliance Zone Industrial Park for manufacturing or industrial businesses.
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Wood County has a Boom Town Index score of 71/100, ranking #290 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $54,350, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Wood County is $140,700 with median rent at $780/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3863, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +0.6% in the past 12 months.